Balto (1995)

An outcast Husky risks his life with other sled dogs to prevent a deadly epidemic from ravaging Nome, Alaska.

Director:

Simon Wells

Writers:

Cliff Ruby (screenplay), Elana Lesser (screenplay)

Stars:

Kevin Bacon, Bob Hoskins, Bridget Fonda

5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Bacon	...	Balto (voice)
Bob Hoskins	...	Boris (voice)
Bridget Fonda	...	Jenna (voice)
Jim Cummings	...	Steele (voice)
Phil Collins	...	Muk and Luk (voice)
Jack Angel	...	Nikki (voice)
Danny Mann	...	Kaltag (voice)
Robbie Rist	...	Star (voice) (as Robby Rist)
Juliette Brewer	...	Rosy (voice)
Sandra Dickinson	...	Sylvie and Dixie / Rosy's Mother (voice) (as Sandra Searles Dickson)
Miriam Margolyes	...	Grandma Rosy / Extra Voices (voice)
Lola Bates-Campbell	...	Granddaughter
Donald Sinden	...	Doc (voice)
William Roberts	...	Rosy's Father (voice)
Garrick Hagon	...	Telegraph Operator (voice)

Storyline

A half-wolf, half-husky named Balto gets a chance to become a hero when an outbreak of diphtheria threatens the children of Nome, Alaska in the winter of 1925. He leads a dog team on a 600-mile trip across the Alaskan wilderness to get medical supplies. The film is based on a true story which inspired the Iditarod dog sled race.

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Plot Keywords:

dog | nome alaska | alaska | children | iditarod | 

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Taglines:

Part Dog. Part Wolf. All Hero.

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Drama | Family | History

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jenna shares similarities with Lady, the cocker spaniel from Disney's Lady and the Tramp (1955), both characters are attractive female dogs who fall in love with diamond-in-the-rough type dogs (Tramp in Lady's case, Balto in Jenna's case), whom they help assist defeating a menacing animal (a black rat in Lady's case and a black grizzly bear in Jenna's case). Both wear collars that are significant to their character (Jenna wears an orange bandana, while Lady wears a blue collar). Both are loyal and determined to save their child owner (Jim Dear and Darling's baby in Lady's case, and Rosy in Jenna's case). They also share the same brown eye color.

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Goofs

When Steele, Nikki, Kaltag, and Star where in the alley antagonizing Balto, Kaltag hits Star on the head, and it shows Star as missing a tooth. When Star gets up and shakes the snow off his head, he says something to annoy Kaltag, and you can plainly see that he is no longer missing the tooth.

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Quotes

Grandma Rosy: [first lines] It was here... someplace.
Granddaughter: But we've already been past here!
Grandma Rosy: Heh. The trees have grown so big. It's been so long since my last visit.
[walks and sighs happily and Blaze was barking]
Granddaughter: Come on Blaze. Grandma, when was the last time you were here?
Grandma Rosy: Heh. Years and years ago. Way before you were born, sweetheart.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits, Fievel from "An American Tail" (1986) pushes the Amblimation logo into place, then stands next to it and his hat falls down over his eyes.

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Connections

Referenced in Stuart Little 2 (2002)

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Soundtracks

Reach for the Light
Composed by James Horner and Barry Mann
Lyrics by Cynthia Weil
Performed by Steve Winwood
Backing Vocals: Bonnie Keen (uncredited), Chris Rodriguez (uncredited), Micah Wilshire (uncredited), and Tina Clark (uncredited)
Chorus: Caitlin McCollister (uncredited), Elizabeth Winwood (uncredited), Emily Estes (uncredited), Evan Brooder (uncredited), Gianno Caputo (uncredited), Holly Burt (uncredited), Jamie Grable (uncredited), Joel Dunham (uncredited), Katy Dunham (uncredited), Lauren Caputo (uncredited), Leah Lofton (uncredited), Mary Claire Winwood (uncredited), Natalia DiGesare (uncredited)

User Reviews

A dramatic and well made film

This film has a seriousness and drama to it that will surprise you. There are no songs, and it has an adult feel to it, with mature themes and exciting action. The voice characters are its main failing, with Kevin Bacon giving rather flat performance to Balto, and there is an overall lack of conviction in most of the other voices as well. But this movie has good story and excellent pacing- there are several gripping action sequences, and very few childish moments. Balto is an excellent family film, and will keep adults and older kids enthralled and entertained. I think it's a little too serious for very young kids to enjoy, though. It has realism and is not light hearted. There are ideas about sickness, death and prejudice which are used very well to move this story along and help resolve it in the end. This is a hero story with a feel-good ending, and plenty of adventure along the way. The art and appearance is interesting and unique, mostly classic animation with a few computer assisted scenes-- the overall look is tidy and quality, with some charm and humor that will get you smiling. It has a live action entry and closure (including a view of the Balto statue in Central Park) which acts as a tie-together, and the true story behind this movie gives it additional appeal. This film, like the WB's 'Iron Giant', has been breezed over by the public and not gotten the recognition it deserves. I would recommend Balto for anyone who likes dogs, realism, or just a smooth, enjoyable film.

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Balto

Filming Locations:

Universal Cartoon Studios - 121 W Lexington Avenue, Glendale, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,519,755, 25 December 1995

Gross USA:

$11,348,324

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,349,090

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amblimation, Amblin Entertainment, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo DTS DTS (Digital DTS Sound) (1999 Re-Release) SDDS (1999 Re-Release) Dolby Digital (1999 Re-Release)

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1